The Detroit Lions open their weekend rookie minicamp on Friday, giving Dan Campbell and his coaching staff their first opportunity to evaluate the rookie draft picks and UDFAs in attendance. The non-contact practice sessions allow the position coaches to see the rookies in action and assess their readiness to take the field.
Two Detroit Draft Picks to Compete At Lions Rookie MiniCamp
The coaching staff will study players to see how quickly they learn and how their particular skill set translates to specific positional needs. It’s expected that the rookies will compete with Lions’ veterans for starting assignments. However, two recent draft picks, offensive linemen Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier , could compete against each other to replace Kevin Zeitler.
When the 6’6” 308 lb. Ratledge was drafted in the second round, it was immediately assumed he was Zeitler’s replacement. But Brad Holmes pulled off a surprise 6th-round steal, trading with New England to acquire Frazier with the 171st pick. Suddenly, it was no longer a certainty that Ratledge would be the starter.
Lions Steal Miles Frazier At The Draft
At first glance, Ratledge would appear to have a lock on the open guard position, but don’t count Frazier out. He could provide a dose of healthy competition.
Frazier, a 6’5” 317 lb. guard from LSU who somehow slipped to the sixth round, was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award given to the nation’s top-rated offensive lineman. At LSU, Frazier was the starting right guard on one of the nation’s top offensive lines. His LSU position coach, Brad Davis, believed in cross-training his players, and Frazier benefited from that philosophy.
In 2024, Frazier played both right guard and right tackle, but also has experience at LT and LG. Describing his ability to play four of the five offensive line positions, Frazier described himself as a “mauler-type offensive lineman” in a recent SI interview. He stated confidently, “If anything happens, at any moment, I’m able to jump to left side, left guard, right guard, right tackle, left tackle.”
Coach Davis instilled the understanding that if he doesn’t do his job properly, his quarterback is at risk of injury. As a result, Frazier became an elite pass protector. He allowed only four sacks at LSU and didn’t give up a single sack in his last 20 games.
At the combine, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein graded Frazier as a prospect with a lot of potential, noting he had “things to clean up, but carries pro measurables and a play demeanor that gives him a shot to become a starter.”
Frazier’s dedication, mental toughness, and coachability are why Holmes traded up to draft him. With his experience and versatility, Frazier could challenge Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany at training camp. However, his biggest competition is likely to come from fellow rookie Ratledge.
Tate Ratledge Not Necessarily A Shoo-In To Replace Zeitler
Described by Campbell as tough, physical, and athletic, 6’6” 308 lb. Ratledge could fill an immediate need for the Lions’ offensive line. A former team captain for the Bulldogs, Ratledge comes to Detroit with an impressive resume. Known for his leadership in the locker room and toughness on the field, Ratledge is considered one of the top “pass blockers in the SEC.”
A First-Team All-SEC in 2023 and 2024, Ratledge was also a finalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2023. At the NFL combine, he scored first in athleticism among all guards with a 98 and ranked second with his total score of 84. Following his impressive showing, Zierlein declared, “Ratledge’s mentality and toughness should help him become a solid starter fairly quickly.”
Praised in the Georgia press as having tremendous leadership skills and as “gritty as they come” , Ratledge’s contagious, free-flowing spirit draws teammates to him. However, on the field, he plays with a fierce “dirty dog” mentality.
Ratledge may be a natural leader and a stronger locker room presence, but Frazier’s quiet demeanor and soft-spoken manner let his actions on the field speak for him.
Lions Rookie Minicamp Evaluation
This weekend, the Lions coaching staff will learn which of the rookies could become starters. Run game coordinator Hank Fraley will be cross-training Ratledge and Frazier at multiple positions. Since neither player is experienced at center, it will be interesting to see who catches on quickest. With both rookies possessing the mental toughness and determination to succeed, their versatility could determine who has the advantage.
Main Image: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports
The post Two Detroit Draft Picks to Compete At Lions Rookie MiniCamp appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football .